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I’d say this is a must win, but honestly every game is in a 16 game season. Both teams have several important names on the injury report this week, with Brett Favre being at the top for the Vikings and Dez Bryant for the Cowboys. We all know that Tony Romo has plenty other receiving weapons to target however a broken down Brett Favre could harm the Vikings offense tremendously. And that’s just what the Cowboys need. DeMarcus Ware could have a heyday in Minnesota today.

The Cowboys matchup against the Vikings this afternoon. Television coverage begins at 3:15 Central time on FOX.

The Lone Star Struck game chat will be open all day and we invite all fans to join us as we root for the Boys and share our game thoughts. Its a great experience with fans from both sides of the ball going at it, cheering for their team. We’ve had a lot of fun and excitement in the chatroom so far this year, stop by and say hi you might find you’d like to stay a while!

It was reported on ProFootballTalk.com this morning that Brett Favre will not be returning to the Vikings this season. Favre is expected to issue a press release later this afternoon. He has also started to communicate this to teammates. Reports are that Favre’s ankle has not responded after surgery and rehab this off-season.

I believe Favre said the same thing last season during training camp and a few days later he was on a plane to the Vikings complex. Could this all be true? Could Brett Favre finally be retiring? Or is this just the official start to “Favre Watch 2010”?

If this is true, then the Vikings just took a major nose dive in the preseason rankings in my opinion. The other quarterbacks on the Vikings roster are Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/thoughts4.png180397Robert Vetranohttp://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lonestarstruck.pngRobert Vetrano2010-08-03 10:16:192010-08-03 10:16:19Could This Be the End for Favre?

We have been waiting and waiting for months. Now the wait is just about over. The Cowboys report to training camp tomorrow and their first practice is Saturday. As the next week goes by all the other teams will also open up training camps and most will have their sights set on Super Bowl XLV in Cowboys Stadium next February. It’s the start of a new season with new hopes and dreams. So who are the favorites in 2010 and who will be the disappointments? Here is an early look at the NFC.

NFC Favorites

New Orleans. The Saints need to be at the top of the list simply because they are the defending Champions. Someone needs to knock them off the top of the mountain. As far as talent and leadership the Saints are no different from last season. They are explosive on offense, which helps when it comes to their 25th ranked defense.

Minnesota.They are rated above the Cowboys because of how easily they beat the Cowboys in the playoffs. Most people are tired of the so called “Favre Watch”, but if he comes back they will still have a potent offense. If Favre shocks everyone and retires, then the Vikings as a team fall a few spots in the rankings. Their defensive line is one of the best, if not the best in the league, but their secondary is suspect at times.

Dallas. No major changes for the Cowboys during the off-season. They have the talent in place on offense and defense to go along with some playoff experience. Tony Romo had a great 2009 season, minus the Giants game early in the season. I think the offensive line will be fine with Doug Free taking over for Flozell Adams. The major question is how will Alan Ball be at safety?

Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He has a lot of offensive weapons to choose from as long as his offensive line can protect him. The defense played very well last season as they went from a 4-3 to a 3-4. A few losses in 2010 on defense like Johnny Jolly and Aaron Kampman may hurt them.

NY Giants.I tried my best to find another team in the NFC I could put at number five, but I kept coming back to the Giants. Eli Manning seems to always find the open receiver when he needs a big play and they Giants have a lot of weapons at receiver. Was Brandon Jacobs really hurt in 2009? That will be the big question for this offense in 2010. The defense just seemed to give up last season as they allowed over 40 points in three of the last four games. That prompted the Giants to hire new defensive coordinator in Perry Fewell.

Disappointments

Philadelphia.Franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb was traded in the off-season. No more Brian Westbrook in the backfield. I think the Eagles are going to take a step back in 2010. They are handing the offense to unproven quarterback Kevin Kolb. Their defense is not the force it once was as the Cowboys showed in beating them in back-to-back weeks, outscoring the Eagles 58-14.

Arizona.The Cardinals lost their heart when Kurt Warner retired after last season. Matt Leinart has done nothing that says he can lead this team. They also lost dependable receiver Anquan Boldin to free agency. The defense lost a few pieces as well with the departures of linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Antrel Rolle.

Chicago.I’ve read a lot of good things about the Bears this off-season. How Jay Cutler is going to be better now that new offensive coordinator Mark Martz is there. How the signing of Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers has improved the team. But head coach Lovie Smith likes to run the ball and Mike Martz likes to throw the ball. Could be an issue as the season moves along and the winter weather enters the picture. The question is also whether Peppers really wants to be in Chicago or was it the money that attracted him there?

Interesting

Detroit.I’m interested in seeing the Lions this season. I know they have combined for only two wins the last two seasons, but this team has some talent. Especially on offense with Matthew Stafford going into his second season and Calvin Johnson becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Stafford also has a quality tight end in Tony Scheffler to go to now. The Lions drafted speedy Jahvid Best to ignite the running game. On defense they added cornerback Chris Houston, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and defensive tackle Corey Williams through free agency. The Lions also added defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was the second overall pick in the draft.

http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/thoughts.png180397Robert Vetranohttp://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lonestarstruck.pngRobert Vetrano2010-07-22 12:35:272010-07-22 12:35:27An Early Look at the NFC

Well after what has seemed to be an eternity, I have decided to crawl out of my off-season hole and get back into the real world. I apologize to my co-writers and to our Lone Star Struck fans for not blogging about our Cowboys. Ever since that loss to the Vikings, I have been in, what I did not want to believe, a depressed state of mind. I have finally realized that loss affected me more than I thought it did. I said right after the loss, just like most of us did, its ok we got our first playoff win in 12 years. We had a great season and this season was a step forward. While all of that is true, that loss devastated me. Not because it was such a great season and I know we have the team to go all the way, but because the way we lost that game.

We were the better team going into that game and EVERYONE knew it. The Cowboys were FINALLY getting the credit they deserved. A stout defense, an offensive line that protected and made holes for 3 GREAT running backs. A TRUE CONTENDER! I do not know what happened that dreadful day but I am now admitting it is eating me apart from the inside out. That is all I can think about and the only way to get back to myself is to write about it.

As for the upcoming season. Free agency has just started and what an active season it is. The SECOND and maybe even third best defensive end in the league, Julius Peppers, has gone to Chicago. Of course the first being Demarcus Ware and second Anthony Spencer. Although I think we might all agree that Spencer needs a year or two more experience! With all the free agents out there and all the teams that need help in their areas, I have not heard much talk about the Cowboys needs. To me, that means we don’t have any real “needs”. We have what we need to take this team to the next level. We are a championship team.

http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/posts2.png180397Contributing Authorhttp://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lonestarstruck.pngContributing Author2010-03-06 10:52:012010-03-06 10:52:01Admitting Depression Is The First Step To Recovery

I thought that this blog would be a little different than the last one I have written. I feel I have let my fellow writers down since I started writing for Lone Stay Struck. I never did “officially” introduce myself.

Well, I feel that there is no better time than now to tell you a little about me and my desire, passion and love for the Dallas Cowboys. Here is just a small example of what I go through each and every week as I prepare for the next game.

MONDAY: As I slowly make my way out of bed and into the shower I reflect on the game and a smile comes to my face I think to myself, WOW, The Cowboys just beat the Eagles for the third time this season, second time in a row. After a long day a work and a lot of trash talking back and forth, I finally collect my debts owed to me from the “haters” that bet against the Cowboys. I get home from work and immediately turn on sports center to catch up on the sports news of the day, and of course watch more highlights of the game. Monday is also poker night, and more trash talking and reflecting on a great game.

TUESDSAY: Out of bed and into the shower and on my way to work. Now the talk shifts to the following week’s game. I hear, Cowboys can not beat the Vikings, Favre is too good, and the Eagles don’t have Adrian Peterson. No the Eagles do not have Peterson, but the Boys still have Ware and Spencer, a comeback that causes silence.

WEDNESDAY: Had to work overnight and get home just in time to get the kids up for school and my son asks me, “Dad, do the Cowboys play today?” I feel proud as I now know I am raising my son the right way. Starting to get hyped up and excited, only a few more days until the big game. I make sure my jersey, beanie and jacket are clean and ready to be worn. Once again, poker night, and more trash talking and reflecting on a great game.

THURSDAY: Again had to work overnight, wife get kids off to school and I get to rest. Cowboy’s slippers, pajamas, cup and Sports Center to start my day. I make my arrangements on where I am going to be watching the game. Unfortunately, this time I know I have to work on Sunday so I am going to record the game and come home from work and watch it.

FRIDAY: I jump out of bed grab the phone and start calling my dad, brother and friends to talk about the game. I double check to make sure I have what I need on Sunday and make more phone calls. Hyped up and ready to go, cant’ wait for Sunday, GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!

This is just a small version of what I go through week in and week out throughout the football season. As you can imagine it can be hectic and fun all in one. Hopefully I did not bore you too much while telling you a little about me and how I make it week to week while our Cowboys make their run to the Super Bowl.

Here we are, last game of the season against the Eagles again. This time its going to be a different outcome! 😉

Cowboys fans are all welcome to join our gameday live chat here at lonestarstruck.com.

I hope that our fellow fans that are privileged enough to be at the game will cheer loudly, at the right times, and give our Boys that much more inspiration to win – win – win!!!

Dallas is playing for the division crown and home field advantage. The Vikings won (embarrassing the hell out of the Giants I should add) so the Cowboys can no longer claim the number two seed. They will be playing next week in the first week of the playoffs.

Oh what a great feeling it is! The Cowboys are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs after tonight’s win over the Redskins, no matter what happens next week against the Eagles.

Even though it really seemed like the Redskins gave up long before the game ended, the Cowboys definitely deserve their spot in the post season. From the beginning of the season until last week, no one (outside of the Cowboys faithful) believed this team could go anywhere and here they are, in control of their own destiny.

The only thing left to decide is home field advantage and the division title. It all comes down to the last game of the season, once again, versus the hate Eagles but this time at home in our house!

Things to Note:

– Its the first time in 5 years that the Cowboys have swept the Redskins.

– If the Cowboys beat the Eagles next week they secure home field advantage. If the Vikings lose, the Cowboys, Eagles or Packers could earn the first round bye week.

– The game next week has been moved from noon to 3:15 p.m., the NFL moved the Jets – Ravens game to prime time over the Cowboys – Eagles game. (Big mistake in my opinion.)

In the finale of the short preseason, Kevin Ogletree once again impressed and pretty much locked in his spot on the 53-man roster. Rookie Ogletree made it easy for coaches to make the decision to cut Isaiah Stanback and go with him as the 5th wide receiver.

“Every ball is important to me, every down, every play,” Ogletree said. “So when you take that approach and you’re as hungry as I am to try to make the team, you do what you can.”

Ogletree caught two passes for a total on 14 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter before leaving last Friday’s game with an eye contusion.

This week’s defensive game ball goes to Pat Watkins.

Pat Watkins dominated the game last Friday proving he deserved his spot on the roster. The fourth-year safety made a clutch tackle on a fourth-and-one with 1:59 left in the first half that prevented a Vikings touchdown. Then he blocked a field goal with nine seconds left on the clock, to end the first half and prevent another Vikings scoring opportunity. Finally, he opened the third quarter with a a dazzling 23-yard interception return for a touchdown. It was a big day for the Cowboys’ backup safety.

“I had a feeling like I was going to have a good game, and I had a couple people send me text messages with predictions,” Watkins said. “Someone predicted six tackles and an interception. Somebody else predicted eight tackles. So after that maybe I need more predictions to help me out.”

Whatever it takes Watkins, keep up the good work!

Congratulations to Kevin and Pat for their outstanding play.

Runners-up: Steven Octavien for his 44-yard interception returned for a touchdown and Jesse Holley for his brave 82-yard punt return for a touchdown that in turn won the game.

Several sources are reporting that Roy Williams is listed as day-to-day and should return soon. The reports say Williams has a contusion (bruise) on his left shoulder.

Dallas News has this quote from Jerry Jones during his radio appearance this morning:

“I’m not implying that we have a long-winded thing here,” said Jerry, who stated that the Cowboys will not consider signing a veteran receiver. “Based on our review here, we’re talking about a very short timespan. I don’t know that he’ll go Saturday … but he’ll be out there real quick.”

The Cowboys confirmed Roy Williams’ negative x-ray in an email this morning. There was no fracture to his shoulder. They will continue to evaluate him on a day to day basis with a shoulder contusion, which is a fancy word for a bruise.

However it is still unlikely that Williams will play against the 49ers on Saturday for precautionary reasons. If he does sit then look for him miss the preseason final against the Vikings on Thursday and return for the regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hopefully we lucked out and Roy will return for the season opener and be fine. Isn’t this just our luck?

Well nfl.com has reported that the Vikings and Brett Farve are meeting later in the week. If this deal happens then the nightmare that Green Bay tried to avoid last year is on the verge of striking and will strike hard.

So what do all of you think about the possible return of Brett Farve let me know I’m interested in hearing everyones outlook on this and for me personally I would like to see him back for one more year and show Green Bay why they shoulda let him do his thing for one or two more years, because only he knows when he needs to retire.